Supporting Students with Seizure Disorder (Epilepsy)
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Epilepsy affects more than 470,000 children under the age of 18 in the United States1. This equates to a prevalence of around 6 per every 1,000 school aged children. Children with seizures may be more likely to experience depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct problems, developmental delays, autism and headaches. These students are at greater risk of repeating a school grade and difficulty with social interactions2.
The majority of children with a diagnosis of epilepsy attend school and can participate in school activities. These students may need to take medication at home, or school and may need assistance to complete assignments or tests. Schools and districts can support students with seizure disorders by educating their staff about seizure management and encouraging seizure action plans for students with a history of seizures.
SEIZURE DISORDER (EPILEPSY)
Epilepsy is a broad term used to describe a brain disorder that causes a seizure. There are several different types of seizures and students can often experience more than one type. Seizures can range from generalized seizures that affect both sides of the brain to focal seizures that affect just one area of the brain. Signs and symptoms of seizures vary by type of seizure. Below is a list of possible seizure signs and symptoms3.
- rapid blinking
- staring into space
- crying out
- loss of consciousness
- falling
- muscle jerks or spasms
- twitching
- changes in taste or smell
- confused or dazed
MEDICAL MANAGEMENT PLAN
It is best practice that every child with a seizure disorder have a seizure management plan or action plan. This plan may outline how to manage the care of a child with a seizure disorder by offering instructions on care during a seizure event, including safety, supervision, and medication administration instructions.
SAMPLE MANAGEMENT PLANS, 504 PLANS, AND HEALTH CARE PLANS.
SEIZURE TRAINING MATERIALS
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention partnered with the Epilepsy Foundation to offer free training programs for school staff.
- School nurse- The training programs below are for school nurses, but anyone can take the courses to learn more about epilepsy. Continuing education units are available for the professional development activities below.
- School staff- The training program below is for any school staff who work with students with seizure disorders such as: teachers, librarians, teacher assistants, bus drivers, classroom aides, health educators, administrators and school nurses.
TEACHER RESOURCES
The Centers for Disease Control and Preventions
Body and Mind (BAM) website offers classroom resources for teachers.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Seizure First Aid- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Seizure Dogs- Epilepsy Foundation
Schools and Seizure Preparedness- Epilepsy Foundation
Epilepsy in Kids- Epilepsy Foundation
Epilepsy in Teens- Epilepsy Foundation
REFERENCES
- Epilepsy at School. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (1)
- A national profile of childhood epilepsy and seizure disorder. Russ, Shirley A.; Larson, Kandyce; Halfon, Neal. Pediatrics. 2012 Feb;129(2):256-64. doi: 10.1542/peds.2010-1371. Epub 2012 Jan 23. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22271699/ (2)
- Epilepsy Foundation Website: Schools and Seizure Preparedness | Epilepsy Foundation (3)
Last Modified: 1/31/2023 10:42:49 AM